Erin Chambers
Community Development Director at City of Newton, Iowa- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Nathan Unsworth
Erin excels at leading community discussions and managing city-wide projects. She is a great communicator, has outstanding organizational skills, and is very knowledgeable on planning and zoning issues.
Nathan Unsworth
Erin excels at leading community discussions and managing city-wide projects. She is a great communicator, has outstanding organizational skills, and is very knowledgeable on planning and zoning issues.
Nathan Unsworth
Erin excels at leading community discussions and managing city-wide projects. She is a great communicator, has outstanding organizational skills, and is very knowledgeable on planning and zoning issues.
Nathan Unsworth
Erin excels at leading community discussions and managing city-wide projects. She is a great communicator, has outstanding organizational skills, and is very knowledgeable on planning and zoning issues.
Credentials
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AICP
American Institute of Certified PlannersAug, 2007- Nov, 2024
Experience
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City of Newton, Iowa
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United States
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Government Administration
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1 - 100 Employee
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Community Development Director
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Dec 2018 - Present
As the Community Development Director, I collaborate with other city departments, state agencies, and citizens to grow the community and work toward the goal of establishing a high-quality of life within Newton. We accomplish this together through targeted economic development incentives, community marketing, strong site development and plan reviews, comprehensive planning, historic preservation, ordinance development and enforcement, and administration of local grant programs. Specifics include: Supervises Building Plan Review & Inspection Services, Community Marketing, Planning & Zoning, Economic Development, Rental Housing Inspection Program, and Department Administrative Assistant. Oversees Summer Planning Intern Program Leads the work of the Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Building Trades Board, Downtown SSMID Board, and Downtown Grant Review Board. Leads implementation of Newton’s Comprehensive Plan Completes reports, resolutions, ordinances and presentations for City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Newton Downtown SSMID Board, Downtown Grant Review Board, and Historic Preservation Commission Directs economic development efforts, provides guidance on community marketing Writes and administers grants Prepares Request for Proposals or Qualifications for consultant work, coordinates consultant projects Annually prepare the department budget Show less
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Self-Employed
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Iowa
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Independent Planning Consultant
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Apr 2017 - Present
I provide planning consulting services primarily focused in the areas of land use, policy planning, and downtown revitalization. Project(s): Downtown Assessment for Durant, IA (through Iowa Downtown Resource Center/National Main Street). (April-May 2017) I provide planning consulting services primarily focused in the areas of land use, policy planning, and downtown revitalization. Project(s): Downtown Assessment for Durant, IA (through Iowa Downtown Resource Center/National Main Street). (April-May 2017)
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Director of Planning and Zoning
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Jan 2013 - Dec 2018
Supervisor to Building Division, Code Enforcement/Nuisance Division and Department Administrative Assistant. Oversees Summer Planning Intern Program Serves as lead staff person for Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Downtown SSMID Board, and Downtown Grant Review Board. Completes reports, resolutions, ordinances and presentations for City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Newton Downtown SSMID Board, Downtown Grant Review Board, and Historic Preservation Commission Coordinates Nuisance enforcement, abatement, and court cases with other department staff members Processes all Planning and Zoning Applications Writes and administers grants Prepares Request for Proposals or Qualifications for consultant work, coordinates consultant projects Leads implementation of Newton’s Comprehensive Plan Worked on the Newton Main Street Establishment Team and served as primary author of the successful Main Street Iowa application Annually prepare budget for Planning and Zoning Department Show less
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City Planner
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Mar 2006 - Jan 2013
Served as lead Staff person for Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission. Facilitated the formation of Newton’s Future: A Comprehensive Plan, a unique and community-wide approach to comprehensive planning. Wrote four Historic Preservation grants, all of which were fully funded. Lead the administration of those grants. Processed all Planning and Zoning Applications and prepared staff reports for the appropriate board and City Council Show less
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Planner
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May 2004 - Mar 2006
Reviewed site plans, administrative site plans, subdivision plans, special permit plans, and zoning amendments and prepared staff summary reports to Commission members for each assigned project. Conducted site inspections throughout the development process to ensure that sites and subdivisions were being developed per the approved plan. Served as the principal planner for the City of Groton, a Town borough, and held office hours for approximately 20 hours per week with the City of Groton Planning Department. Acted as primary support staff for the Town of Groton Zoning Commission and the City of Groton Planning and Zoning Commission. Fielded questions from the general public and provided guidance through the planning processes. Show less
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Education
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2002 - 2004
University of Iowa
Master of Arts (MA), Urban and Regional Planning -
1998 - 2002
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Science (BS), Communication Studies
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